Hunger

I remember my very first UGA football game when I was a child. It was so overwhelming to me that I felt like I was going to explode. There were 80,000 people going crazy by cheering for their beloved Bulldogs. That passion was contagious and infectious. I ended up getting a degree from there many years later. That passion got inside of me and till this day I am a diehard UGA Bulldog. My whole family is. I am Bulldog born, Bulldog bred, and when I die I will be Bulldog dead. Dawgs or die.

“Passion.” One word that means a lot to me. I like being around passionate people. I tend to struggle around apathetic people. It’s just the way that I am wired. I love being around people who are passionate about their dreams, pursuits, hobbies, or aspirations. Passionate people inspire me. I remember reading the book Fred Factor that focused on a mailman who was so passionate about his job that someone wrote a book on him. Mark Sanborn was so inspired by Fred that he told his story. Passionate people inspire others.

This week I am at Voice of the Apostles in Nashville, TN. I have heard Heidi Baker speak numerous times. I’ve listened to her sermons and have always left feeling the desire to go after God harder than I ever have. I have read her books, listened to her interviews, and been impacted by her sermons. None of the times before can match what God did with me while she was speaking last night.

Heidi and her husband Rolland are missionaries in Mozambique Africa. They are the leaders of Iris Ministries. Her story has been well documented all over the world. Heidi has been on the cover of Christianity Today and is well known for signs, wonders, healings, raising the dead, and deliverances. She is a tiny woman with a huge Jesus in her heart. That is probably an understatement. Even though I have been familiar with her and Rolland, last night took her impact on my life to a different level. I wept the first twenty minutes of her sermon and I don’t even know why, other than God was already moving on me and 8,000 other people.

What struck me last night is the deep friendship that Heidi has with God.

It’s what I want more than anything in the world.

I want it more than influence, friendships with people, money, or fortune. My whole life I have been borderline obsessed with knowing God. I don’t want to be interested in God; I want to be possessed by Him. As Heidi was talking last night, I knew that I was in the presence of someone who walks that out. I’m sure Heidi is not perfect and she has her own flaws like the rest of us do, but one thing I know for sure is that she is possessed by God Himself.

I pastor a church in the Bible belt. Heidi prophesied last night, “God is coming for the Bible Belt with the kiss of intimacy.” I want to be a part of that, more than I want my next breath. I don’t have to live in Mozambique to be a fiery furnace of passion for God. God loves the Bible Belt as much as anyone else in the world and my prayer is that He will allow me to be on the front lines of a great move of Heaven in our midst. Come Lord Jesus.

About the Author

Chad Norris

One Comment on “Hunger”

"Heidi prophesied last night, “God is coming for the Bible Belt with the kiss of intimacy.” I want to be a part of that. More than I want my next breath. I don’t have to live in Mozambique to be a fiery furnace of passion for God. God loves the Bible Belt as much as anyone else in the world and my prayer is that He will allow me to be on the front lines of a great move of Heaven in our midst. Come Lord Jesus."